Seller who Blogs :: twirling betty

Seller who Blogs :: twirling betty
Blog :: twirlingbetty.wordpress.com
Shop :: madeit.com.au/twirlingbetty

 

Tell us a bit about yourself and what do you sell on madeit?
Former slave to long hours in a law firm, I am now much happier making things, being silly with my two little girls and seeing just how far I can push my beloved and long-suffering husband before he bans me from fabric stores forever. I thought that time might have come the night he had to climb over stacks of fabric to get into bed, but he is nothing if not supportive.  With all that fabric, I make my signature tie-back 1950s-style sun visors, fabric accessories, fabric cake decorations like mini bunting and calico banners, and even stationery.

How long have you been blogging and why did you start?
I’ve been blogging for 2 and a half years or so and as twirling betty for around two of those. Initially, my sister and I started a blog together as a way to share things we had found and loved on the internet and photos of the kids and so on. As time went on though, and I kept dreaming up project after project, I just felt that there might be a wider audience my crafty projects might appeal to. Plus, I was just starting my business and all the stuff I read said a blog was one way to help build a brand. So, I do advertise my shops in my sidebar and do posts devoted to the release of new ranges or items but  that’s not what my blog is about. It’s about being a record of the other stuff I make and cook, putting together DIY tutorials for my readers and just about anything that takes my fancy really. I absolutely love blogging!

Do you have any advice for other sellers who are thinking of starting a blog?
Starting a simple blog is really easy. There are so many great free platforms out there like Wordpress and blogger that have great templates all set to go. However, if I had known how much time it would take to get my blog looking just the way I wanted it (which included having to teach myself the basics of html and CSS) I might have balked. So if you have a strong idea of how you want your blog to look, and you want to set it apart from other blogs, be prepared to invest some serious time. Or money to pay someone else to do it for you!

I think the other cardinal rules are: blog regularly (not often necessarily, just regularly), use your own voice, don’t be disingenuous ie, don’t treat your readers like idiots – they will spot an advertisement for your shop or whatever disguised as a post for something else a mile off and it will irritate them in a big, fat way, blog about things that genuinely take your fancy and finally, if you are comfortable with it, readers really respond to getting a glimpse into your personal life so don’t think no one will be interested in your life – they most likely will. Finally, be honest.

What are some of your favourite blogs and why?
bloesem.blogs.com/bloesem A Dutch expat living in Kuala Lumpur, Irene has the most extraordinary taste and eye for design. Pretty much everything she posts just makes me sigh. In a good way.

poppytalk.blogspot.com  Another site chock full of beautiful finds, great DIYs and inspiration.
http://momfilter.com/  Refreshingly unfussy and un-tricky but totally compelling bits and pieces related to being a parent: advice, cool finds, quick and healthy recipes, fashion tips, photos capturing unguarded, natural  moments. I love this blog for its honesty, simplicity and relevance.

ashleyannphotography.com/blog Ashley takes the kind of bright, light photos I aspire to. She lives in the US Midwest and blogs (beautifully) about everyday stuff in a really honest and endearing way and has lovely DIYs as well.  Hers is one of the few blogs on which I read EVERY SINGLE post.
http://www.craftypod.com/ I always think of Dianne Gilleland as like one of the Godmother’s  of this current craft revival thingy. She devotes countless hours to the craft community and her posts are unfailingly well thought-out, tightly written and tap incisively into some of the larger issues that shape and resonate within the making blogosphere. Always food for thought if you’re interested in the bigger picture.

www.myrtleandeunice.com Love her blogging voice ie, the way she writes, her photos and the stuff she makes.

whipup.net Inspirational projects from everywhere.

When you aren't blogging or making what do you like to do?
I’m a total Italophile. We lived in Rome for three years and my eldest daughter was born there so I spend a lot of time making sure my Italian language skills stay up to scratch (not least because now that aforementioned eldest can spell, my husband and I have resorted to using Italian as our secret language – a good incentive for the child to learn!) and just generally mooning over all things Italian and waiting for the day we can live there for 6 months of every year. I also love food: cooking it, planning what to cook, poring over food magazines and feeding it to my friends and family. And science fiction novels. Total nerd.